1,050-cu.-ft. Body Weighs 14-i cwt.
Page 57
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CQUARE-SECTIONED pillars of k--3 light alloy and timber cant and breast rails are features of a Luton 1,050-cu.-ft. body built by Willenhall Coachcraft, Country Bridge, Willenhall, Staffs, for mounting on an Albion Claymore chassis. The body weighs 141 cwt. and reduces the unladen weight of the vehicle to well below 3 tons. It is the first of 14 similar bodies to be supplied to Messrs. W. G., Colebatch, Bloxwich, Staffs.
The pillars are of 11 in. by 14 in. section and the roof corners of 11 in. by 11 in. section, the ends of which are fitted into the pillars and secured by Pop rivets. The roof-sticks are 2-in. inverted top-hat sections.
Rubber packing pieces are used to waterproof the joints of the roof, which is built of sheets of 4 ft. by 9 ft. 20gauge aluminium. These are Pop-riveted together through the rubber, a practice which has been successfully followed for a number of years. The 18-gauge side panels are Pop-riveted to the pillars and nailed to the rails. A rigid structure is obtained by employing eight intermediate pillars with centre distances of 2 ft.
Oak members of 41 in. by 1;', in. are used for the rear corner pillars. The tailboard and rear panel are cut from the same sheet of 10-gauge light-alloy material, the surround being left in one piece. The tailboard is reinforced with 11-in, square tube.
The full-fronted cab is integral with the van body. The floor of the Luton extension is of 1-in. plyboard, and the front panel is of 10-gauge light-alloy sheet. The doors are constructed of 16-gauge metal.
The floor frame comprises 11 in. by 1 in. light-alloy longitudinals of channel section and cross-bearers of 3-in. by 11-in, channel section. The pillars are bolted to both the longitudinals and cross-bearers.
The extension panels are painted with a finishing coat direct on the metal surface. It is stated that this is preferable, when applied to polished aluminium, to using 'an undercoat, a claim which is based on experience over a long period. Another practice is to apply a coat of primer on the finishing coat, followed by two further coats of finishing paint.